Howlite Beads
 16 assorted color Howlite stone 60 beads US $5.95 
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 2 15 Strands AAA 10mm GREEN Turquoise Howlite Gem Stone Rondelle Beads US $12.50
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 Wholesale 100PCS Multicolor Howlite Turquoise Carved Skull Loose Beads Fingdings US $16.88
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 16 assorted color Howlite stone peace sign beads $1 combined s h ship fast US $.99
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 blue Howlite Turquoise 6 12mm Chips Baroque Beads 34 US $2.81
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 Wholesale 10 50 100pcs Skull Howlite Turquoise Gemstone Loose Beads As131 141 US $12.31
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 Cool Colorful skull Howlite Turquoise Loose Beads US $3.99
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 Blue Turquoise Howlite Gem Rice Beads 25x10mm Strand HOT US $5.49
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 As060 50PCS MIX COLOUR HOWLITE TURQUOISE SKULL SPACER BEADS US $12.18
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 25 pcs colorful Howlite Turquoise Skull Loose Bead 9 color Free choice US $3.79
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 White Carved Skull Howlite Turquoise Gemstone Loose Beads Strand For Jewelry US $3.32
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 20 50mm UNIQUE DYED HOWLITE TURQUOISE SPIKE Loose Beads US $14.50
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 16 assorted color Howlite sun flower shape beads US $3.65
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 2 HORSE Gemstone Fetish Animal BEADS 1 Pair Your choice of stone color US $4.28
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 2 Gemstone BEAR Fetish Animal BEADS 1 Pair YOUR CHOICE color stone US $4.29
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 13x12mm Colorful Howlite Turquoise Skull Loose Beads 15 L US $3.98
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 15 Gemstone 32X Black Howlite Turquoise Carved Skull Loose Beads Gems Findings US $5.99
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 16 strand heart shape red pink color howlite beads US $3.65
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 gorgeous colourful howlite turquoise 32pcs mini star loose beads NL0756 US $2.49
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 Gorgeous turquoise howlite disc beads 12mm x3mm US $3.65
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 Strand of 12 GEMSTONE ZUNI BEAR BEADS 13mm x 18mm YOUR CHOICE US $6.25
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 FRE SHIP Different Shape Dyed Colorful Howlite Gemstone Turquoise Loose Beads US $71.48
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 6x10mm Howlite Turquoise Stripes Abacus Gemstone Beads US $5.89
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 11 18x13mm Pastel Rainbow Howlite Skull Beads US $12.89
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 16 assorted color Howlite stone HEART SHAPE beads US $3.25
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 2 Gemstone FISH Fetish Animal BEADS 1 Pair YOUR CHOICE color stone US $4.16
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 16 assorted color Howlite stone Fish shape beads US $3.65
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 16 assorted color Howlite stone heart shape beads US $2.95
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 16 HOWLITE GEMSTONE ROUND SHAPE BEADS US $2.76
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 16of skull shape howlite stone beads 25mm US $2.95
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 16 assorted color Howlite stone Teddy bear beads $1 combined s h ship fast US $1.25
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 20x27mm Carved Blue Howlite Buddha Beads 155 US $6.99
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 5x20 5x50mm Blue Howlite Turquoise Graduated Loose Beads 185 US $9.99
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 16x20mm23x26mm Natural Howlite Turquoise Oval Gemstone Beads 5pcs US $69.00
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 4mm 6mm 8mm 10mm 12mm 14mm Blue Howlite Turquoise Round Beads 15 US $4.88
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 8 Yellow Turquoise Howlite Lapis Moukaite Black Fetish Papa Bears Gemstone Beads US $7.95
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 Set Red Howlite Turquoise Stick Beads Fit Pendant 11pc US $2.99
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 20x23mm Howlite Turquoise Flat Oval Carven Beads 15 US $13.50
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 5 Strand Howlite Turquoise Gemstone Purple Butterfly Loose Beads 35mm B967 US $58.48
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 5 Strand Yellow Howlite Turquoise Gemstone Butterfly Loose Beads 35mm B966 US $58.48
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 colorful Howlite Turquoise Skull Loose Beads 32pcs US $4.99
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 0327 49mm Howlite turquoise graduated loose beads 185 US $10.00
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 4mm natural white Howlite round gemstone Beads 16 US $2.41
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 5X STRINGS CHAMRS FASHION Green Butterfly Turquoise Howlite Loose Beads B965 US $57.49
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 Howlite Turquoise 13x18mm Flat Oval gemstone Beads 15 US $6.50
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 smooth round blue stripe howlite turquoise Beads 15 US $4.31
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Turquoise - Fake vs. Real
Turquoise jewelry has been popular for several centuries now, and today has claimed the spot of being the most popular and valuable opaque gemstone for fashion and fine jewelry. Because of this demand for turquoise, many sources around the world have been depleted, and additional exploration notwithstanding, the available turquoise in the world is coming smaller. One of the unfortunate aspects of this high demand is that the market has been flooded with fakes. So when you buy turquoise jewelry, you would be well advised to be cautious. Here are a few points to consider when buying turquoise:
- When buying turquoise jewelry, seek out stores – local or online, as you choose – that have a strong reputation for honesty and integrity. As the seller to put his or her claims about the turquoise in writing.
- Decide whether you want to buy stabilized turquoise or natural, untreated turquoise. Natural gem-quality turquoise is rare and quite expensive. If you are buying a piece of expensive fine jewelry, then you will likely want to buy natural turquoise. On the other hand, if you are buying fashion jewelry costs a few tens of dollars, you would be wise to buy jewelry with stabilized turquoise.
- Plastic imitations are quite common. To see if your “stone” is a plastic fake, heat a pin and touch it to the “stone” in an inconspicuous spot. If it melts, you know that you have a fake.
- Howlite is another fake that is common in the marketplace. Howlite is a form of calcium carbonate. If you drop a tiny quantity of dilute hydrochloric acid on the howlite, it is fizz and turn a shade of green. Genuine turquoise will have no reaction.
- In some cases, turquoise beads are used in a necklace. When used in a white pearl necklace or other similar application, the turquoise bead will have a drilled hole. Look into the hole, and if you see white, you most likely have a fake.
This is also an appropriate place to discuss the process of stabilizing turquoise. Most natural turquoise is so soft that it cannot be used directly in jewelry. So it must be first stabilized before being used in jewelry. This is done by infusing the stone with a stabilizing agent such as epoxy resin or vaporized silica. Using epoxy resin is more common and less expensive than the silica treatment. Silica stabilization cannot be identified even by experienced gemologists. On the other hand, an experienced gemologist can see globules of epoxy resin under magnification. Gemologists the world over agree that stabilized turquoise is genuine turquoise.
About the Author
Dale is a geo-professional in the Southwestern United States, and an avid and amateur gemmologist and a jewelry buff.